Zappa Plays Zappa : The Black Page #1 & #2

[vaichild]

drummer jokes are not aloud here :)

[MrGutentag69]

It sucks to know no matter how much I practice I will never be this good. Frank was a brilliant composer. Dweezil does an amzing job keeping his dads music alive. Being a drummer I also have to comment on what a beast bozzio is

[MRCJCOLLINS]

It's way over used, but: " O.M.G.".....

[dann3th3manni3]

Wow, they all nailed that groove perfectly. Talk about synchronization.

[EsaelPaggin024]

5:59 Dweezil looks up at his father. He is pleased

[octofish]

Legislation needs to be passed to prevent this lineup from disassembly. That was pretty damn good.

[gust0743]

Ehmm.... Where is all the saxophones, trumpets and basoons? D: It's okay but i really prefer Frank's version from barcelona 1988... That one is just amazing!!!!

[barapglir]

14 notes didn't fit on the page

Who would dislike this, it's the greatest song ever written!

[darkalleyheroes]

zappateers (dot com) /bb/download.php?id=11638&sid=­13c6e84e803a07cba208db8ecc5bef­ee

Try to follow along with the sheet music!

[MakeupByMelissaLyn]

WHO THE HELL DISLIKES THIS?? Bozzio is superhuman.

[ROCKETMISSILE1234]

Terry Bozzio is a Monster!

[americiancomrade]

would like to see that pussy travis barker play this :D

[eqsmooth]

It comes down to this: there is No other drummer who could play this correctly note for note. maybe Chad Wackerman or another Zappa alumnus. Maybe.

[selkirk1991]

@eqsmooth Vinnie Colaiuta could apparently

[eqsmooth]

@selkirk1991 IS VINNIE NOT A ZAPPA ALUMNUS? Did he not play on 18 Zappa albums? Read my comment again.

[selkirk1991]

@eqsmooth Jeez I wasn't disagreeing with you, I was supporting your comment, it's just that the maybe at the end left room for interpretation, so I confirmed that Colaiuta could.

Please, no need to freak out.

[eqsmooth]

@selkirk1991 Oh yes, I used CAPS. Apologies all around. Do you know whether there is a video on YT or anywhere online of Vinnie playing The Black Page? I've been admiring Vinnie's recent playing w/ Jeff Beck and Tal Wilkenfeld.

[MultiMrMuffinman]

Yeah Mr VAI him self,5 years ago met him while i was driving to go to the ZPZ.my stereo was playing ''fuck yourself''the song by VAI from his 2nd album stopped the car immediately,then opened the window and said-hey steve listen to this,he approached the car without hasitation and said this is great solo and gave me the guitar pick!wasn't satisfied drove the car another 500m.found a parking space came out of the car and said-i got to hug you AND took picture also,which u can see it in YT prof.

[HughWalenski]

Catchy tune.

[birchofacookie]

omg u suck

In all seriousness, I can't see how anyone would dislike this.

[dudeguy927]

thats so legit to have a camera on the guitar

[Jackesmiperro]

He looks lika a sad Liam Nisson.

[agentpissant42]

@Jackesmiperro He has are a very particular set of skills; skills he has acquired over a very long career. Skills that make him a nightmare for drummers like you.

[Jay435]

@agentpissant42 What, they've got Liam Neeson from the movie"Taken" playing this stuff?!?! lol

[deftones720]

As great as Bozzio supposedly is, why isnt he playing by himself?

[MegaDrumRoll]

@deftones720 obviously because hes a guest in this show.

[tall32guy]

Who's the drummer with the beard and glasses?

[KimberKustom]

@tall32guy Joe TRavers

[tall32guy]

This sounds almost exactly like the version I heard on another Youtube vid of "The Torture Never Stops" from 1976.

[Wedhro]

What I like the most about Zappa's music is that defining it "jaw-dropping" is not an exaggeration. My jaw actually drops while listening to this, my tongue is dry right now.

[JBic420]

I don't get it.

[XxXxXJonathanXxXxX]

is there a book on learning rhythms of this sort?

[shadowmalik009]

@XxXxXJonathanXxXxX zappa was a self thought composer, which is why he was able to write such technical music. so if you want to understand complex rhythms you should look into music theory. look into syncopated rhythms and compound time signatures if you want to get cool sounding rhythms.

[dafydd1961]

Frank left us with the best, love u Frank zappa

[NolikargAven]

wtf i just heard

[patorikku65]

holy fuck... fuck, thats beyond insane

[Fluffyfluffyhead]

OH  shake it Scheila!

[Hodge329]

This entire piece is incredible, but seriously, Bozzio. What IS that fill at 3:53? Can humans do that? Unreal.

[Orreborrekorre]

@Hodge329 A simple 4 stroke on the bassdrum then 6 or 4 with your hands ? it was a simple metal fill actually xD Watch the video again and try to find something a little more incredible ;)

[Tromben120]

1:38 "I don't want to be here...."

[IncaRoads1808]

10 people cannot approach it's statistical density, in its most basic form.

[ragnarok179]

WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS I WANT ANIMOSITY

[PEZEMILIO]

Thought I dont LOVE it, I apreciate how dificult this really is. Beyond my scope by far.

[teetomthomas]

I have the drum sheet. i ordered it from Barfko swill. I can't pkay it, but I find it fascinating. I saw Dweezil Zappa at the Albert Hall "Playing" Franks music. This is awful. I thought Dweezil's gig at The Albert Hall was awful. Don't shit on your father's grave sonshine. X x X

[blooddrummer]

@teetomthomas Dude this is really good you don't know what you are talking about

[Zappafan1980]

@teetomthomas

ARE YOU SERIOUS

The Zappa plays Zappa project is the Best existing Frank Zappa cover Band on the Planet

Name a Better one if you can

All musicians are amazingly good, Dweezil is a very good guitar player he is as close as one can be to Franks Tone

AND he give a young Fan like me the chance to experience his Fathers music live

You obviously have no music taste or modern sense for it

[darkalleyheroes]

Bozzio is officially the most badass drummer ever.

[stratguy123456]

Any serious musicians who really want the sheet music tell me and I'll e-mail you the first 2 pages.

[cranie4]

@stratguy123456 And I take it they are indeed Black? ;) This is the tune that made me respect and understand Frank and also Terry's drumming chops.

[langfoman]

@stratguy123456 Do you have the drum sheet?

[ikakitani]

ZPZ with Terry Bozzio and Steve Vai ----> Fanstastic ever!!!

[pfalconer]

Hell's teeth! Tremendous playing. There are a lot of players out there who just use a massive kit to tart up their average playing - not so with Bozzio.

Who're the second drummer and percussionist?

[Ritchie14]

@pfalconer The second drummer is ZPZ drummer Joe Travers, and the percussionist is Billy Hulting.

[pfalconer]

@Ritchie14 Ace - thanks, Ritchie

[Jordanjschaecher]

hold on...... this isnt animosity? id like to see both artists try to play eachothers songs

[TheGrayRevolution]

Terry Bozzio Wins - Flawless Victory.

[TaVeneno]

phd

[gorto27]

Terry Bozzio has his own style. He's not only one of the best drummers in rock history. He is also one of the most unique percusionists that has ever lived.

[2112pee]

スゲー



[meidellians]

The camera positioned at the end of Dweezil's fretboard gives a really cool and very different perspective.

[Dominoes282]

I wish meshuggah did a cover of this

[ghostdrummer16]

@Dominoes282 lol tomas could never pull this off, im sorry, hes good and all but nothing could ever compare to frank zappas music.

[vuducat]

So amazing. What a group of titans to be able to put real feeling and emotion into a piece that, in the hands of any other people, would be clinical and dry due to the complexity.

[lsmiller1220]

Talking about music is like dancing about architecture. Someone wise said that once. (yes, I know-- by posting this I am contradicting the very essence of the statement, blah blah...).

[RafaHidalg0]

@Xparrot75 @miguelmetheny I don't really care about a song that is only hard to play and is completely empty, that's my point. Is that a part of a wider context? I really don't think so, that's why it seems to be as meaningfull as any Rihanna's song. What is that you can interpretate of this? To be it's just about nerdy muscians that want to play something hard. That's my point of view, at least. I find it funny how you guys actually feel offended by other people's point of view, relax people.

[RSVPBlogger]

@RafaHidalg0 - Hey, it's perfectly OK if this piece doesn't evoke a reaction in you. The Black Page fills me with a variety of emotions - I find it exciting, passionate and thrilling. It always makes me think of the heady, chaotic madness of new love for some reason. (I'm absolutely certain that is not what FZ intended, but my reactions are mine :)

[GreenWorksJPN]

COOL!!!!

I like Steve Vai!

[DarkdreamFr]

Playing the Black Page #2 on guitar when you know well the piece is easy. Understanding it and all the notes you play, rythmics and scales... horse of a different colour !

[DarkHalberdier]

In Zappa in NY (1974) the second version was actually the third (dubbed as "the easy teenage new york version"), being #2 a melodic one with the same time signature of #1

[ToweringFilth]

Jeff Bridges on multipercussion.. haha. great piece.

[BopsStudios]

The Jeff Beck of drums...

[BopsStudios]

As a drummer, I find this particular performance, amazing.

As a listener, inspiring as to how far music can go.

It is such a shame that, in most artistic creations, are never realized till further down the road.

Frank continues to be my Idol, in approach, and attitude to the art.

[snottydyck]

Fast and Bulbous!

[BopsStudios]

That's right the Mascara Snake, Fast And Bulbous

[KillerDrummer88]

HOLY ...... COW ...... that was incredible

[CribNotes]

I'm an old time huge Zappa fan. My nephew got me the Zappa Plays Zappa DVD for Christmas and I was completely mind-blown when I watched it. Incredible quality all the way around.

Dweezil did his Pops proud!!

[KleenezeDon]

Absolute brilliance in performance and Zappa's original Black Page score. Seen Frank with the Mothers first time 1973 in Rome. Mind blowing. Overnite Sensation was the gig. I remember it clear as yesterday.

[Bob6stringer]

Insane genius. Perfectly insane, wrapped mobius-like, into a new level of sanity.

[MegaGuitardude123]

I LOVE THIS SONG

[gbtayc]

It's like future classical music to me

Only written in the past

still ahead of the general public

Great to see this live on

[m11gtr]

Beautifull, but they should have played the melody to the Black Page #1.

[harpantonio]

i dont know whats the fuzz... i think this is boring, anyone agrees?

[bernie1111]

@harpantonio listen better.

[stratfanatic]

@harpantonio I'm a big Zappa fan, but this don't float my boat I have to say.

[harpantonio]

@stratfanatic thats all im sayin

[phishtrey]

8 people can only comprehend 3 chord, one-hit-wonder tunes that are designed for the creatively inept and the emotionally retarded.

[Glutonid]

Playing this is a challenge. But to write a song as good as this... oh god it's impossible. Using all modes, dimnished scales, damn! no doubt Frank was a genius.

[RafaHidalg0]

That's so stupid. It's just hard to play. That's all it is.

Ok, it's actually funny... I'll give you that.

[Shaktidej]

@RafaHidalg0 : dude you don't know the story of this piece... It is a drumsolo that was created in order to test Terry Bozzio's abilities as a drummer... Then only it became an official FZ piece. Check out the video where Terry explains all this.

[Guitareben]

@RafaHidalg0 I actually quite like it :D

[miguelmetheny]

@RafaHidalg0 Your ignorance is bold

[Xparrot75]

@RafaHidalg0: In truth, I'm getting a bit tired of people who simply don't know much about music posting that sort of comments. Get some proper musical education, or just force yourself to listen to some proper music for a couple of years until you learn to appreciate it, and then come back.

This is a true musical masterpiece, excellently performed. If you can't recognize that - it's your problem. Why bother advertising your ignorance to the world?

[sats87]

Agreed, musically it sucks, should have been musicians nightmare (as hard to play)

but its listeners nightmare (as hard to listen)

Funny to look at all their faces thou

[lalakekela]

@sats87 "musically it sucks"? how?

[drsoph2112]

@RafaHidalg0

Why do people like you even post? Just because you don't understand a subject, don't criticize the teachers. This piece was written for drums almost 30 years ago by a genius who knew there was only one drummer who could play it. There were so many time signature shifts and 64th notes clustered tightly together on the staff lines, it appeared solid black from a couple feet away - hence "The Black Page" This has challenged drummers ever since. Props to you when YOU can play it.

[zchnullmund]

@drsoph2112

Actually at least when I tried to learn it, the time signature is always 4/4 (on the cheats I had) it had alot of quintuplets and septuplets. I learned most of the song, not that fluid thou and not the very ending whih is, well impossible for one who didn't like to train his left hand that much, and it's damn hard to count 11tuplets even slowly! :P 

[Zappafan1980]

@RafaHidalg0

That is the reason why this song is soo famous because it has soo many Notes that the Page got Black from the notes

and it was the most challenging drum solo in the year 1977 Terry Bozzio needed 2 Weeks to learn it

he was 25 or something

Respect the Black Page

[WyattTheGuitarist]

@RafaHidalg0 i find the melody to be beautiful.

[batteurfoule]

absolutely brilliant, fucking amazing, that's music!!!!

[c0d3x001]

this isn't even just the best recording of bozzios ginormous drumset (at least the best i heard so far) ...it's also a freakin amazing song, an amazing performance, and all together an amazing video xD

[Jabarichonicles]

token of my extreme is my favorite drum ordinated song, but this wins within the first second

[solodini]

I think Dweezil had a mini orgasm at the very end there.

[KleenezeDon]

Phenomenal. One of the best Black Page i've heard. Where and when was this performed and is there a video available as download or Dvd to buy?

Frank Zappa is a maestro of jazz and will continue to entertain with his genius for generations to come.

[ibanezbloke]

@KleenezeDon It was on the Zappa Plays Zappa tour in 2006, you can buy the DVD off the website.

[KleenezeDon]

@ibanezbloke what website?

[ibanezbloke]

@ibanezbloke this is easier - you can gewt it on amazon dot com. Just ook up "Zappa Plays Zappa" there, it should be easy to find. I can't give you the web adress because youtube desn't allow it.

[cranie4]

This is ONE song. At the time it was composed on (who knows how many) manuscript sheets. This entire band is playing without a scrap of sheet music and they play an entire setlist. MONSTER chops and amazing memories...Also Missing Persons really gave people the wrong impression of Terry's ability. He has a kit that size because he plays it all.

[Tengent]

Zappa wrote the best melodies and rhythms.. I'm kind of jealous.

[Mykola40]

Abrakadabra.

[Guitareben]

This is amazing :O. So many awesome musicians on stage at once :O

[Jay435]

Who is on the other the drum kit besides Terry?

[SquelchPeyote]

@Jay435 Zappa vaultmeister Joe Travers - quite a talented drummer in his own right and the person that Bozzio himself chose as the best to play Black Page #1.

[avp715]

jesus christ what an epic performance

[Mordain607]

Holy shit... it's like all the greatest musicians in the world come together...

Zappa would be proud.

Loving the er... Marimbaist? Dunno. Whatever you call him, he's awesome.

Woah... are there THREE drummers here? (not counting marimba player).

[perromanchado]

delightfully brilliant

[BenAv8or]

Sick!!!

[11guitarherofreak]

I Have got this on DVD

[vhfanjack]

Is the Black Page only found on Zappa Plays New York, or is there a studio recording for it aswell?

[Shaktidej]

@vhfanjack : dude, there are literally dozens of version among the 100+ available Zappa albums... Here is an exhaustive official discography with all the titles in each album : hanaden.hp.infoseek.co.jp/midi­/Zappa/ ( without the ws )

Cheers

[vhfanjack]

@Shaktidej Thanks

[avp715]

@Shaktidej Thats great, but you didn't answer the question. The question was is there a STUDIO RECORDING. Its fairly obvious that this song was recorded live many times.

[jsfleisher]

@vhfanjack Zappa in New York is the only album w/ Black Page #1 / drum solo though (aside from this ZPZ release). There is a later Synclavier version of #1 though, from a mid 80s Keyboard Magazine flexi-disc. It's on YouTube, if you look for it...And there are tons of variations on #2 that FZ released. Make a Jazz Noise Here has one of my faves (it's the New Age Version)...

[vhfanjack]

@jsfleisher Thanks

[Bigswifty75]

@vhfanjack my personal favorate is off "you cant do that on stage anymore Vol 4"

[Squee36]

@vhfanjack Its on Baby Snakes, Läther (closest version to a studio mix), Make a Jazz Noise Here (the "new age version"), YCDTOSA volumes 4 and 5, and Zappa in New York, and the newly released "Hammersmith Odeon". Enjoy.

[drsoph2112]

@vhfanjack

I'm sure there has to be a studio version somewhere. My favorite live version is from the "Baby Snakes" soundtrack which also has THE most killer version of "Punk'ys Whips"

Good luck.

[onehalf73]

@vhfanjack Studio album: Lather

[ZupraVisor]

Skip to the Black Page #2 here -----> 2:58

[HawkyJason]

I think if you tried this for yourself, you won't be able to afford it

[StuMo]

I wonder if Terry

is rehearsing today!

I'll just go over

and hear him play!

[JUSTONEEEE]

@StuMo his hair is so puurteeeee. I want to bite his neeeeeck!

[StuMo]

I wonder if Terry

is rehearsing today!

I'll just go over

and hear him play!

[metrognome69]

i was never really into bozzio much but once i found out he did this with zappa-much respect.

[aragash08]

the drummer looks like Liam neison

[brainchildroy]

wow!

[kroggwaff]

dude this is so sick right here... O.O blows my mind

[DrumCoalitionWithWar]

holy fucking jesus balls. Terry is a drumming genious.

[leandrogabtenen]

genialidad

[leemuzi]

amazing

[szampon]

zappa had a talen not only to write all that insane music (tank you Frank!) but also to scout out all the talent. Steve Vai. Terry Bozzio. George Duke. need i say more?

[67636763]

Djowie you would be correct if toure a drummer and zappa calls

its a done deal youre in the club

[1991ant1991]

"Terry Bozzio is so overrated" .... when I hear that I sense jealousy the smell of shit.

[SecretAgent068]

@1991ant1991 I hear ya man. I've stopped defending the guy on here because it just seems pointless. There are some real dumbasses trolling around on youtube. One of the most important musicians/composers of the 20th century obviously thought Bozzio was good enough to play his complex music. What more can be said?

[ruinawish]

@1991ant1991 I don't think it's jealousy... more ignorance than anything. Heck, I'm happy to admit that I can not comprehend Bozzio's talent at all.

[monkfishstuff]

I think this is amazing. But I think if you are looking for some of the most intricate, difficult drum pieces in history you should look at the music that inspired compositions like Black Page, an example being some of the Balinese and Javanese Gamelan compositions. Black Page is intricate and interesting for the most part, but I wouldn't call it the "most difficult" or "best." But I wouldn't really call anything "Best" so take it how you will.

[yorkebjorkporkfor9k]

@monkfishstuff Can you give examples of the Balinese and Javanese Gamelan compositions that inspired this? I am interested in hearing them

[overviewland]

While I really appreciate Terry Bozzio as a drummer (he's obviously an incredible musician), I cannot take that kit seriously. I understand his justification for it (more sounds == more possibilities) but I still think it's stupid.

[SharerVideo]

Dweezil, you are THE guy.

Thank YOU so much, for playing this Music.

You are the BEST, Dweezil, thanks a lot.

[Galactu5]

Frank, I miss you. We miss you. The Universe is a better place because of you.

[erroneousapostrophe]

Tight as a drum

[pastalavista]

Wow! just listen to those 11s at the end and the 3 over 2 substitutions! 5,5,6 I think? Awesome playing

[StarflareLegionaire]

@pastalavista

I know right?

Polyrhythm to the MAX

[pastalavista]

Thats one of the most wonderful things I have ever seen!!!!!! OMG

[bigbigsound]

man , steve soaked up so much melody from FZ evrything on flexable/leftovers sounds like this...fuck yeah!

[AncientItalianSecret]

I like it when he uses the rims instead of the hihat, much more crisp.

[thetopface]

Sooooooooo tight. Those are not mere drummers. Those are three of the greatest percussionists alive... And thank God for all of them.

[Rajhoul]

This is nothing.

Listen to The Black Page#2 from You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Vol#5 and prepare to hold on to your ears for dear life.

[danielkitroser]

oH men!!!! AWESOME!!! ZAPPA RULES!!

[patoncki]

Steve Vai is the definition of coolness.

[Badni]

@patoncki hahahahaha i could 't agree more! :)

[Yegorization]

BOZZIO!!!!!!

[franks1no]

4:05ish is the best part

[aassyr1111]

wtf?

[jtomasik]

Whew.  Amazing musicians. Was that Dweezil talking? He sounds so much like his pop!

[edibleclam]

@jtomasik Doesn't quite have the same shnozz though.

[robertcuthbert]

hahahahahaha

indeed indeed

[nick17905]

Bozzio = Drum god

[eqsmooth]

THIS IS THE SHIT! Likely the most difficult piece of music ever written in the world of rock. I've seen & met Bozzio in clinic, went to the same college for music. For a nice quiet guy I was always intimidated. The dude practices constantly. Always did. If there is a person who OBAMA should bow very low to, it is TERRY BOZZIO. Steve Vai ain't bad either. Both Outliers. Dweezil sounds just liked his dad. Why do people constantly compare people to Bozzio.? Who the f-ck is Derek Roddy? Please.

[vikingmetaliscool]

Derek Roddy is an awesome session death metal drummer.... beast

[eqsmooth]

Which cd's should I look for? He isn't in a regular band?